Keavy Honor Guard demonstrates continuous patriotism
May 21—As Memorial Day approaches, thoughts turn to relatives and friends who have already passed. Some of those relatives and friends were veterans. Veteran organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), use Memorial Day to honor those veterans.
To the DAV chapter and the DAV Auxiliary (DAVA) in Keavy, Memorial Day activities are part of a continuous honoring of veterans and veterans' families.
The DAV Honor Guard does funeral home and graveside services when requested. Members of the honor guard have performed when pelted by sleet in January and in sweat-soaked, starched uniform shirts in August. They have maintained professionalism in all seasons and sometimes daily. I remember performing at nine funerals between January 1 and January 11 several years ago.
The honor guard members are unpaid volunteers and maintain their uniforms at their own expense. They sacrifice time that could be spent with their families to serve their community and other veterans and veterans' families. Sometimes honor guard members and their families change their plans in order to honor veterans at a funeral. The patriotism these veterans displayed while on active duty is both continuous and continuing.
The honor guard's job is made easier by the Auxiliary. The Auxiliary is not a "ladies auxiliary." Some veterans, their sons, grandsons, and nephews (as well as their daughters, granddaughters and nieces) are members of the auxiliary. As a member of both the DAV and DAVA, I know both are extremely and continuously patriotic.
The DAV and DAVA want people to know what to expect with military funeral honors, and what choices of funeral honors are available. It is easier if a copy of the veteran's discharge papers (DD Form 214) is available. It is critical that the funeral director be informed that military honors are requested. Simply telling the funeral home that the deceased was a veteran does not initiate burial honors. Burial honors must be requested! The DAV has been told by surviving family members that they were unaware of what honors were available or how to get them. Burial honors are not automatic and must be requested. Funeral directors know how to request burial honors but must be informed that burial honors are requested.
The elements of military honors performed by the DAV include honors at the funeral service and grave site, the 21-gun salute, playing taps, folding the American flag, and presenting the flag to the family. Burials with military funeral honors can be performed at any cemetery.
The DAV wants to honor eligible veterans and present to veterans and their families. To do this, we rely on support for our fundraisers and donations from the community.
To learn more, visit Keavy DAV Chapter 158 on Facebook.
